SEATTLE – Throughout the fall and winter, spufalcons.com will be producing a series of question-and-answer stories featuring Seattle Pacific coaches and student-athletes. They will appear every Tuesday and Thursday. Watch this brief video of men's track and field competitor David Njeri before checking out today's chapter of the series.


The spring and summer of 2020 were certainly unusual. What unique things did you do during that time? –
"I took that time to hang out and reconnect with my family. We also started a vegetable garden in our backyard where we grew kale, tomatoes, carrots, and peppers. It was a fun moment."
 
Many were confined inside and had the opportunity to consume more visual content ...
     A. What is the best movie that you viewed during the pandemic?
"I enjoyed "Spencer Confidential" on Netflix, it had its funny moments and I ended up watching it three times. I also enjoyed "The Secretariat."
 
     B.  What television show or series would you recommend that you recently watched?
"I watched "Greenleaf" which is a show on Netflix. If you like family drama, then you will enjoy this one. I also enjoyed "Outer Banks" and "The Last Dance."
 
     C.  What is the best book that you read during the last several months?
"I got ahead in reading my anatomy and physiology textbook.
 
How do your current cooking skills compare to what they were before the pandemic?
"My cooking skills have gotten quite better, especially my baking skills. I learned how to make banana bread through quarantine, and I can now make a pretty good batch of it."
 
 

Is there a new dish you learned to cook or if not, what is your favorite food to prepare?
"I learned how to make our favorite traditional Kenyan dish from my mom. The dish is Ugali and stew."
 
How did you stay in shape while being away from the team and coaching staff?
"I used the workouts that our coaches sent us. There was a track a minute away, at my former middle school, so that was pretty handy. However, for strength, my friend is a personal trainer who owns his gym, and he invited me over to use it through the spring and summer during lockdown. I was thankful to have that resource and used it as much as I could, since not many of us were fortunate to have access to one."
 
While competition won't begin until sometime in 2021, Falcons teams have practicing, but not as an entire team. What has practicing in pods been like with limits of five athletes at a time?
"Honestly, I am THANKFUL to be back at practice. The pods have been great so far since I have a pair of teammates who are on my fitness level, and we push each other through the workouts we have had. It is also hard to get critique on technique work from coaches when we have more than 20 athletes at once, especially on the hurdles and sprints. The minimized pods have increased the amount of one-on-one critique time with the coaches.
 
For the sprints, Coach Kate (Carlson) and I have fixed my sprint mechanics, and I can definitely see a positive difference in my technique. On the hurdles, Coach Karl (Lerum) and I have worked on my trail leg and it has also had a positive improvement on hurdle clearance. All in all, the pods have had a positive impact.
 
Are there any particular issues (social justice, environment, public health, etc.) in which you have gotten involved with or spoken up on during the past few months – and if so, in what way have you done that?
"During the past months, we have had an increase in racial Injustices that have led to the increase in the Black Lives Matter movement, which calls for justice and equality among the African American community. Being a member of the African American community, I have used social media to express what is currently going on, and to spread positivity around, since this year has been quite arduous for each one of us."
 
Distance learning has become common, and, for student-athletes, team meetings are conducted online. What has that been like for you?
"I am not a fan of online classes, as I would opt for in-person class learning. However, the circumstances we have, I am accepting it as it is. Online classes have been demanding, especially taking anatomy. There is a lot of work in reading chapters, watching long lectures, memorizing, and also more busy and hard work from the lab sections. However, I have made good use of my planner in planning my classes and practice, as well. With all of this happening, I am glad we are able to use technology to meet online as a class or a team."
 
We all talk about getting "back to normal" at some point. What is one specific thing in your life that you really want to see return to "normal" as soon as possible?
"One thing that I would like to return to normal is travelling to other states to visit family and also to explore (especially hiking). My family and I like to take on adventures, and I would like that to return to normal."
 
We don't yet know when athletic competition will resume. But when things do get started, what is that going to feel like for you as compared to previous seasons?
"It will definitely feel different from other seasons. After I got home in March, right after we were put into quarantine, I took that time to refocus. When competition starts, I am ready to see what I can accomplish. My body has rested, and I have also gotten stronger, compared to my other seasons. I am ready to use the strength and the mental focus as we approach another season of competition."
 
If you have children in the future, what will you tell them about the year 2020? (or how will you describe 2020?)
"I will tell them that the year was an eye-opener for everyone through the pandemic, elections, quarantine, practicing in pods, wearing masks, the racial Injustices, as a lot of people witnessed the coming together of all different races, as we all flocked on American streets to combat systemic racism."